Uduebor Sentenced Tax Fraud In US Federal Prison
Uduebor sentenced tax fraud to 40 months in US prison for \$140k W‑2 scam. He’s ordered to repay IRS and will be deported after serving term
sentenced tax fraud after Nigerian musician Onomen Uduebor, also known as Onomen Onohi, received a 40‑month prison sentence in the United States.
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He was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft related to a scheme that stole W‑2 tax information from American employees.
According to court documents and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington, Uduebor was central to a plot that targeted HR departments across the U.S. between February 2016 and April 201
He helped trick staff into releasing confidential W‑2 forms, which were used to file over 300 fraudulent tax returns and claim more than \$1 million in refund.
He admitted to personally submitting around 150 of those returns and tracking refunds deposited into accounts under victims’ names.
While the IRS intercepted most claims, approximately \$140 000 was paid out, and Uduebor acknowledged receiving \$10 000.
U.S. District Judge James L Robart, presiding in Seattle, emphasised Uduebor’s significant involvement.
He stated the defendant “freely participated in the fraud and had a substantial role in the scheme” and noted that at nearly 40 years of age, Uduebor “ought to have known better”.
Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller said the conspiracy caused serious harm to companies, employees and the IRS.
Victims faced “tax headaches and a sense of fear” after their identities were stolen, and filing genuine tax returns was disrupted.
I have read the victim impact statements and I know an apology is not enough…. I was desperate to succeed in my music career. It is not an excuse, but it is the truth.
In court, Uduebor expressed regret, saying, “I have read the victim impact statements and I know an apology is not enough…. I was desperate to succeed in my music career. It is not an excuse, but it is the truth”.
His motive, he admitted, stemmed from frustration with his struggling music ambitions.
He was extradited from the UK in March 2025, following his arrest in September 2023, and pleaded guilty in April 2025.
The court ordered him to forfeit the \$10 000 he earned and repay \$122 720 in restitution to the IRS .
He is expected to be deported to Nigeria after serving his sentence .
This case highlights a broader crackdown on identity theft and tax fraud in the U.S., with the IRS Criminal Investigations division leading efforts.
It also underscores the importance of cybersecurity in HR processes to protect personal data.
Uduebor sentenced tax fraud may prove a cautionary tale. It sends a clear message that even overseas nationals can face serious consequences under U.S. jurisdiction for fraudulent schemes.
His admission that ambition drove him into crime also emphasises the need for lawful pathways to success.
As deportation looms, attention will turn to whether Uduebor’s case influences future international cooperation in criminal prosecutions.
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For now, the U.S. justice system has dealt a firm hand: identity theft and wire fraud, even by foreign nationals, will be met with substantial prison time and financial penalties.
